Deeply-loved free-runner falls to his death from scaffolding in Waterloo

BY JAMES TWOMEY
james@slpmedia.co.uk

A free-runner who fell to his death from scaffolding on the eighth floor of a building was “the kindest and purest soul you could possibly meet”.

Johnny Turner, 28, from Wandsworth, plummeted to his death from the eighth storey of a block of flats in Windmill Way, Waterloo on September 12.

Mr Turner was an accomplished free-runner who had scaled high-rise buildings, including the Barbican and Battersea power station.

Friend Barry He said on his GoFundMe page: “We are devastated at the loss of our deeply loved friend, artist and parkour practitioner Johnny Turner.

“Johnny touched so many people’s lives through his various talents and kind nature. In his life he gave unconditional love to everyone he met.”

Arthur Franks, a friend of Johnny’s, said: “Johnny was one of the most amazing and inspiring people I’d ever met, he treated everyone like they were his best friend.

“I’m absolutely crushed that I’ll never be able to see him and train with him again. He was one of a kind. We will all miss him massively.”

Mr Turner’s uncle, Ralph Phillips, told the Evening Standard: “He was a great boy, really nice to be around. His mum and dad knew what he did and obviously worried about it as any parent would.

“His parents have been to see us after what happened. For a parent to have a child die before them is something hard to comprehend.

They are devastated. He was a talented artist and caring person with lots of friends.”

A Met spokeswoman said: “Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 7.20pm on Thursday, September 12 to reports of a person fallen from height on Windmill Walk, SE1.

“The emergency services attended and found an injured man. He was pronounced deceased at 7.45pm by paramedics.

“The death is being treated as non-suspicious.”